Helen Keogh
Question:42 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the current information available in relation to waiting lists in law centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3061/96]
Written Answers. - Legal Aid Centres.
Brendan Smith
Question:44 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform when a full-time law centre will be established in Cavan; the likely staffing complement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3075/96]
Ivor Callely
Question:104 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the waiting period for a consultation with a solicitor in each free legal aid centre; the comparative figures for 1994 and 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3174/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 44 and 104 together.
The waiting periods for legal applications in each of the full-time law centres of the Legal Aid Board as of 31 December 1994 and 1995 are set out in tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. In 1994 there were 21 centres and in 1995 the number was 26. In 1994 the waiting time in four of the centres was one month or less, in six centres it was two months, in four centres it was between three and four months, in five centres it was between five and seven months and in two centres it was between seven and eight months. I am glad to inform the House that the reductions in waiting times which had been achieved by the board in 1994 continued in 1995. In 1995, six of the centres had a waiting time of one month or less, in another six centres the waiting time was two months, in 11 centres the time was between three and four months and in three centres the waiting time was between five and seven months.
The part-time centre in Cavan was established in February 1995 and while the intention is to make it a full-time centre as soon as possible this year, the necessary accommodation and staffing arrangements are being assessed in the context of budgetary constraints and an ongoing review of the board's services as a whole.
Law Centres Waiting Times.
|
Law Centre |
Waiting Time |
Waiting Time |
|
31 December 1994 |
31 December 1995 |
|
|
Athlone |
10 weeks |
3 months |
|
Castlebar |
2 months |
2 months |
|
Cork Area:— |
||
|
North Mall |
3 months |
3 months |
|
South Mall |
4 months |
5 months |
|
Dublin Area:— |
||
|
Ormond Quay |
5 months |
3 months |
|
Gardiner Street |
9 months |
3 months |
|
Mount Street |
Not established |
3 months |
|
Finglas |
7 months |
2 months |
|
Tallaght |
7 weeks |
2 months |
|
Clondalkin |
9 weeks |
under 1 month |
|
Blanchardstown |
Not established |
5 months |
|
Dundalk |
8 months |
3 months |
|
Ennis |
Not established |
under 1 month |
|
Galway |
6 months |
2 months |
|
Kilkenny |
2 months |
3 months |
|
Letterkenny |
6 months |
3 months |
|
Limerick |
4 months |
2 months |
|
Longford |
0 |
under 1 month |
|
Monaghan |
Opened December 1994 |
1 month |
|
Nenagh |
0 |
1 month |
|
Portlaoise |
6 months |
3 months |
|
Sligo |
3 months |
2 months |
|
Tralee |
6 weeks |
4 months |
|
Waterford |
0 |
under 1 month |
|
Wexford |
Not established |
3 months |
|
Wicklow |
1 month |
5 months |